Picture 1 of 3
Stock photo
Picture 1 of 3
Stock photo
The Towering Inferno (DVD, 2006, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition Widescreen)
Price:
C $12.95
Returns:
Condition:
 | Shop by category |
{"delay":300}
|
Whereas Irwin Allen's 1972 'Poseidon Adventure' is a FAR superior piece of filmmaking, and a touchstone of The Disaster Film Genre of the 1970s, his 1974 triumph "The Towering Inferno" is a MUST SEE slice of pure "1970s over-the-top, in-your-face gigantism" cinematic cheese. HUGE in every way imaginable, this film manages to make the Poseidon look small by comparison in sheer size. A size that can only be truly appreciated on a big screen. Fox and Warner Bros collaborated to bring this elephantine flick to the screen in a grand fashion. Featuring a cavalcade of stars that would make Cecil B. DeMille proud...PAUL NEWMAN, STEVE McQUEEN, WILLIAM HOLDEN, FAYE DUNAWAY (looking ultra-hot in a sheer kimono-like 70's gown)...FRED ASTAIRE (who actually TRIPS Jennifer Jones on the dance floor)...RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN...ROBERT VAUGHN...The aforementioned JENNIFER JONES...DABNEY COLEMAN...SUSAN BLAKELY...ROBERT WAGNER...and even "Slash" himself O.J. SIMPSON. OJ actually has probably the most compelling of all the scenes in the flick. One that is completely juxtaposed to his "later-to-be-outed" monster self. While the rest of the cast is burning to death, falling down elevator shafts, running from the broken glass, falling out or jumping out of the building, or suffocating...O.J. saves a cat. He does this amazing run through the set of Airport 1975, jumps over some American Tourister Luggage and an Avis car, and then side-steps the Pittsburgh Steeler secondary in a leaping grab of a falling feline. THAT IS A JOKE. Actually, he just walks into Jennifer Jones' apartment, and sees a cat...says "Hi Kitty...I almost missed ya"...and then tosses it out the window of the 108th floor, only to have it land on its feet and run into the waiting arms of Kato Kaelin. AGAIN...A JOKE. Plot-wise, this is the most "layered' of ANY irwin Allen film ever, and Irwin (wisely) left the directing of the dramatics up to veteran John Guillerman. Irwin himself kept himself stifled (wisely) to JUST the "action sequences", as when he decided later on in his career to actually direct the WHOLE film (see "The Swarm & Beyond The Poseidon Adventure), the results were often Ed Wood-like. So...Holden decides to build the world's tallest building "on the cheap". Cutting corners in the electrical specs behind the willing guise of sub-contractor Chamberlain (playing a real scum-bag) who also happens to be Holden's Son-In-Law (Blakely plays Holden's daughter). However, Chamberlain has the hots for Dunaway (who wouldn't in THAT gown?), and then ZAP...an electrical panel overheats and causes a circuit to blow and cause a fire in a storage room. While the "whos who" of San Francisco society party on the top floor, the fire is phoned in by Security man OJ, who also realized that the fire alarms arent working either. In comes hero fire chief Steve McQueen. who obviously has no regard for architect Paul Newman, and together the two must find a way to get along in order to rescue the people on the top floor. Meanwhile, the beautiful people dance the night away to Maureen McGovern (is that possible?), not knowing that they are being pre-heated to 400 degrees 50 floors below. The fire creeps up...the tension builds...the people are cut off from rescue...the helicopter trying to rescue them explodes...and the Breacher's Buoy line snaps sending jerk Chamberlain to his death...SPLAT! EVERYONE in the world has seen this film. So, have a disaster flick night, and enjoy!!Read full review
So much better with the updated version of the cinematography of today's technology! Color , picture, & effects are amazing! Absolutely loved it , this is an original that cannot be replaced! Ron Howard is doing a Remake & will be out in 2017 so it just goes to prove that is a Classic that have not been forgotten! The cast is also amazing & with this Special Edition it comes with Extra Interviews! Also I loved the Special Booklet with a History of the Movie & Each of the Actors with Pictures! I was very impressed & so glad I decided to make this purchase! Once Ron's version comes out everyone will probably want to see this version to compare it & guess what I'll already have it before the price goes up! Better get your copy now!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Towering Inferno is arguably the best of the epic disaster films of the 1970s (Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake, the "Airport" series, The Swarm, etc.). I was 9 when Inferno came out in December of 1974. I wanted to see it because of the fire-fighting sequences, the helicopters, and the fire trucks racing through the streets of Sn Francisco! Over the years since, I grew to really appreciate the performance of Steve McQueen, the special effects (real fire...no CGI), and John William's truly epic score. The grand finale is my all-time favorite ending of any movie (I won't spoil it for those of who who have never seen Inferno before). Steve McQueen uttered two of my all-time favorite one-liners: When told by his superiors of the plans to save the people trapped near the roof, and asks how he will get back down, his bosses reply with stone cold silence, indicating he may never come back down. He says "Oh s---". A few moments later, when talking to Paul Newman by phone about the plans to save he & the others trapped on the top floor, Newman asks him how they'll get the explosives up there, McQueen retorts :Oh, they'll find some dumb S.O.B. to bring it up" (the S.O.B. being McQueen of course!). Critics of the movie (and there are MANY of them) love to point out the sometimes lame dialogue, less-thn-stellar acting, the long and sometimes tedious periods between action sequences, some over-the-top special effects [such as all those big explosions that look like bombs going off], and O.J. Simpson's presence (20 years before his infamous race down the L.A. freeway & murder trial). But there is plenty to like about this film. The action sequences (fire) still look great, and Steve McQueen gives what I believe was one of his finest performances. I love the opening sequence with the helicopter flying across the Northern California coast / countryside / G.G. Bridge / San Francisco Bay / the City By the Bay with John William's rousing opening score. His score for the grand finale, the end of the film, and the closing credits still gives me the proverbial goose bumps.Read full review
The most memorable thing about this 165 minute film was Robert Wagner being trapped with his girlfriend after hours and romance. Wagner made one last final attempt to run for help, but was engulfed in flames as he ran towards the entrance. I guess that really puts things into perspective for many who live through some form of trauma. Burning in a fire happens to be my least favorite method of death, and I'm terrified now even more about buildings since 9/11. The Towering Inferno was one of those films in 1974 that you had to see because it had so many stars in one billing. You rarely find that now since the Screen Actor's Guild demands such a high price for many of its actors and entertainers. Steve McQueen and Paul Newman being in one film was spectacular. Of course you had Richard Chamberlain, Susan Blakely, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, and O.J. Simpson. I'll give this film a 5/5 for its magnificent attempt to scare you to death. You really start feeling for all those rich people and those that were only there trying to do their job. IF YOU LIKE MY REVIEWS PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW BY VOTING. THANKSRead full review
I decied to buy this because I have always enjoyed this movie, and after AMC played it frequently for a few weeks, I decided to just buy the DVD, rather then tape it. I absolutely LOVE this movie and it's sad because I have watched it so many times that I am actually starting to quote the characters. The special features are great, especially the deleted and extended scenes. This is a rather long movie, but some of these deleted scenes seemed to make more sense of the story. All in all.....this movie has a terriffic plot and with a top notch cast.....it is without a doubt one of the best disaster movies of all time!!! CONS: There is one thing that always bothered me about this movie........why did Mrs. Mueller have to die?? When she falls out of the glass elevator, it kind of ruins the movie for me. She helped save the kids lives and was such a nice woman, and then she had to die like that.Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
